“We got back on the bus and came back to Portland,” Winterhawks captain Taylor Leier said.

Portland won all four games on its recent road trip, the last one, a 7-4 victory in Vancouver. That win propelled the 2013-2014 Winterhawks into the franchise record books.

Portland coach and general manager Mike Johnston has said throughout the record run that he doesn’t talk much to the players about it, but tries to keep them focused, game-by-game, as the playoffs loom.

“It’s tough to win that many games in a row,” Johnston said. “So I was really proud of the guys, and how they did it. And now basically, the slate’s wiped clean and we’re just playing games down the stretch.”

The Hawks already have clinched a playoff spot. Players in the last two weeks have talked about securing home ice through the playoffs.

The Hawks have 13 games remaining in the regular season, starting with a visit from Prince George on Tuesday. The final home stand is March 15-16, when Portland plays host to Seattle on Saturday and Everett on Sunday.

“You have to be able to play four games in six nights as we did last week,” Johnston said. “And be able to play with that consistency. And I think any time you’re on a streak it shows that your habits are really good, your team’s playing sharp and consistent.”

Then, there’s the playoffs.

For the Hawks to be successful, depth is a factor and rest is crucial. Before the streak began, several Portland players were off representing their countries in international tournaments.

“The guys coming back, as tired as they were, we gave them some time off to rest and recover,” Johnston said. “ But they know how fast the second half (of the season) goes. We’ve got a veteran team here. They know the second have goes with the snap of the fingers. They know how important it is to be sharp.”